'Younis needs PCB clearance to get selected'

The appeals judge might have lifted his indefinite ban but Younis Khan needs to get clearance from the cricket board (PCB) in order to find a place in the national squad for the forthcoming England tour, said chief selector Mohsin Khan.

Hinting that Younis was in the reckoning for selection in the England-bound squad, Mohsin, who replaced Iqbal Qasim as Pakistan chief selector in February, said the former captain still had lot of cricket left in him.

"Younis is a fine cricketer and a wonderful human being.

He is someone who really looks after himself and is a very fit individual. I believe that he can continue to play for Pakistan for another 4 or 5 years," he said.

"Younis need PCB clearance to be considered for selection in the team for the England tour. And I am hopeful that the board will give him clearance," Mohsin added.

The selectors will announce the 17-member squad for the England tour, where Pakistan plays two Tests against Australia and four against England, on June 20 in Colombo after the Asia Cup.

Mohsin is due to join the team in Colombo to observe the players performances in the Asia Cup and also to consult the coach and the captain before selecting the England-bound team.

The PCB appeals judge had recently lifted the indefinite ban on Younis that was imposed in March after the disastrous tour of Australia.

Younis had appealed against the ban and called for an open hearing, insisting he was innocent.

Though the selectors have named Younis in the 35-man preliminary squad while the ban was imposed on him, they ignored him for the Asia Cup starting tomorrow, citing poor form.

However, Younis has recently hit form for the English county side Surrey, scoring back-to-back half centuries.

Mohsin confirmed that the selectors were keeping a very close eye on Younis and were happy with his progress so far.

"It's very good that Younis is getting some cricket under his belt in England and we are happy with his progress so far.

The signs that we are getting from Younis is that he is ready to return to international cricket," he told a website.

Mohsin, however, made it clear uncertainty still looms large over another former captain Mohammad Yousuf's return to the national team.

Yousuf was also banned for an indefinite period by the PCB in March after leading Pakistan in Australia, where they were whitewashed.

Deeply hurt by the ban, Yousuf announced his immediate retirement from international cricket and so far insisted that he has no plans to return to the national team.

Mohsin said he and his colleagues have so far received no communication from Yousuf, suggesting that he is available for selection.

"I have heard nothing further. Players have to realize that to play for the country is an honor. The players need the country more than the country needs a player. If you don't make yourself available, then how can the selectors even consider you. It doesn't matter whether you are a junior player or a senior player, you have to communicate your availability to those responsible for picking the squads," he said.